Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate in blood

Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate is synthesized in the adrenal glands (95%) and ovaries (5%), excreted in urine and constitutes the main fraction of 17α-ketosteroids. Determination of its concentration in the blood replaces the study of 17α-ketosteroids in urine. The concentration of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate in the blood of newborns is reduced in the first 3 weeks of life, then it increases from the age of 6 to 13 years, reaching the level of adults. The appearance of typical signs of puberty is preceded by an increase in the activity of the adrenal glands, reflected in the level of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate. Low concentrations of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate in the blood are detected with delayed puberty. The opposite phenomenon is observed with premature puberty.

With age, there is a decrease in the production of dehydroepiandrosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, androstenedione and other metabolites of adrenal androgens. On average, the concentration of androgens in the blood decreases by 3% per year. In the period from 20 to 90 years, the concentration of dehydroepiandrosterone in the blood decreases by 90%. In reproductive endocrinology, the determination of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate is used mainly to determine the site of formation of androgens. High levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate indicate their adrenal origin, low levels indicate their synthesis in the testicles. Reference values for the concentration of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate in the blood serum

Age	Floor	DHEAS
		Mcg/ml	µmol/l
Newborns		1.7-3.6	4.4-9.4
1 month - 5 years	Male	0.01-0.41	0.03-1.1
	Female	0.05-0.55	0.1-1.5
6-9 years	Male	0.025-1.45	0.07-3.9
	Female	0.025-1.40	0.07-3.8
10-11 years	Male	0.15-1.15	0.4-3.1
	Female	0.15-2.60	0.4-7.0
12-17 years old	Male	0.20-5.55	0.5-15.0
	Female	0.20-5.55	0.5-15.0
Adults:
18-30 years old	Male	1.26-6.19	3.4-16.7
31-39 years old	Male	1.0-6.0	2.7-16.2
40-49 years old	Male	0.9-5.7	2.4-15.4
50-59 years old	Male	0.6-4.1	1.6-11.1
60-69 years old	Male	0.4-3.2	1.1-8.6
70-79 years old	Male	0.3-2.6	0.8-7.0
80-83 years old	Male	0.10-2.45	0.27-6.6
18-30 years old	Female	0.6-4.5	1.62-12.1
31-39 years old	Female	0.5-4.1	1.35-11.1
40-49 years old	Female	0.4-3.5	1.1-9.4
50-59 years old	Female	0.3-2.7	0.8-7.3
60-69 years old	Female	0.2-1.8	0.5-4.8
70-79 years old	Female	0.1-0.9	0.27-2.4
80-83 years old	Female	<0.1	<0.27
Pregnancy period	Female	0.2-1.2	0.5-3.1
Pre-menopausal period	Female	0.8-3.9	2.1-10.1
Post-menopausal period	Female	0.1-0.6	0.32-1.6

Virilizing tumors of the adrenal cortex - androsteromas - produce excessive amounts of androgens. Laboratory studies of such patients reveal significantly elevated concentrations of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and testosterone in the blood and excretion of 17-KS in the urine.

In postmenopausal women, the development of osteoporosis is directly correlated with low androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate concentrations. Several studies have shown that low dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate concentrations are associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease.

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